New Service

How do I sign up for service?

A phone call to either (541) 536-2126, Option 3, or our toll free number, (800) 722-7219, Option 3, is all that is needed to get the process started. We will ask you some questions and request that you complete a Member Application with a list of items that we need in order to insure that your service will be done to both your and our satisfaction. You can find the member application below and you can always stop by our office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and one of our Customer Service Representatives will be happy to assist you.

Is there a deposit, how much is it and what is it for?

If you choose Standard Billing, there could be a deposit required (to see our Billing Options please click here)

Since electric power is used prior to being billed, MEC may require a deposit prior to connection or to continue service as a guarantee of payment.

Interest will be paid on deposits, equal to the rate paid on the United States National Bank's Passbook Savings Account at the end of the previous year. If the deposit is held beyond one year, accrued interest will be paid by a credit to the member's account. If held less than one year, interest will be prorated.

Deposits may also be refunded or credited to the account at any time at the discretion of MEC. Normal refunding or crediting occurs after the member has established 12 continuous months of on-time payments with no past dues.

Required deposits are added to accounts for the following reasons (minimum deposits may apply):

• Disconnect of service for nonpayment
• Five past due notices in the previous 12 months followed by a 10-day disconnect notice for nonpayment
• Power diversion or meter tampering
• Leaving unpaid balances turned over to collection
• Filing for or having filed bankruptcy
• Opening additional accounts when existing MEC accounts have poor credit history
• Returned checks or EFTs

Upon termination of service, deposits will be credited to the account. Terminated accounts with a balance owing will be processed as outlined in Section 10 Sub-Section (3). Terminated accounts with a credit balance will be processed as outlined in Section 8, Closing Bills.

The deposit requirement for residential service will be determined by the member’s established credit based on the following:

1. Credit rating from a recognized credit bureau based upon MEC’s credit criteria, or
2. Established credit history with MEC for 12 continuous months

The amount of the deposit is based on member’s established credit history and will be:

1. Good credit history- no deposit required
2. Marginal credit history -2 times the average monthly bill for the service location.
3. Poor credit history - 3 times the average monthly bill for the service location.

New construction members unable to establish good credit history will be charged a minimum deposit.

(2) ALL BUSINESS RATE CLASSES

To determine if a deposit will be required for business service, either of the following will be used to establish the member’s credit history:

1. The prospective commercial business applicant must provide proof of prior service either with MEC or another electric utility for a period of 12 consecutive months within the past 24 consecutive months with no late payments.
• The credit history must be in the same name as the applicant or business applying for the service.
• The credit history must be the same rate class.

2. Provide MEC with an assignment of either:
a. Bank Certificate of Deposit.

b. Surety Bond.

SMALL AND LARGE COMMERCIAL RATE CLASSES

The amount of the deposit will be:

1. Good credit history- no deposit required
2. Marginal credit history -2 times the average monthly bill for the service location.
3. Poor credit history - 3 times the average monthly bill for the service location.
4. New construction services, members unable to establish good credit history will be charged 3 times the average monthly bill based on the MEC engineer’s estimated usage for that service based on a 75% load factor.

IRRIGATION RATE CLASSES

The deposit for this service class will be a two month average bill based on the service location's historical usage during the previous irrigation season.

The deposit for a new service or where the service location lacks full historical usage for the previous irrigation season, will be two times the MEC estimated average monthly usage for the service using the seasonal rate at a 75% load factor.

INDUSTRIAL RATE CLASSES

The deposit for this service class will be a two month average bill based on the service location's previous twelve month's historical usage.

The deposit for a new service or where the service location lacks 12 months of historical usage, will be two times the MEC engineer's estimated average monthly usage for the service.

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.